We the People

LRE at NH Social Studies Council Annual Conference

Save the Date: Nov. 3, 2015 in Manchester.
Due to positive reviews from teachers who took part in the First Amendment Case workshop at the Spring Symposium in March, the presenters have been invited to share this unique workshop at the Annual Conference being held in Manchester at the Radisson/Center of NH.

Attorney Jack Middleton, alongside one of the original authors of the associated LRE materials, will take part in the November workshop. Continue reading/access materials.

When Love Hurts

When Love Hurts: Rights, Responsibilities, Realities

A new program on teen dating violence for students in grades 8-12, When Love Hurts: Rights, Responsibilities, Realities, was recently introduced in NH Schools. Learn more about the program.

Law Related Education

What is Law Related Education?

LRE Coordinator Robin E. Knippers

Law Related Education (LRE) serves as a tool to help youth connect their values to civic participation and become the kind of active citizens democracy depends on.

The NHBA Law Related Education Program is directed by the Law Related Education Coordinator, Robin E. Knippers, along with a committee relating to the individual LRE programs. The program began in 1985 and now serves over 50,000 students and teachers in New Hampshire. LRE provides curriculum resources, development and educational opportunities, interactive projects with attorneys, law firms, and schools across New Hampshire.

LRE Programs

When Love Hurts

When Love Hurts

New Bar Program Teaches About Teen Dating Violence

A new program of the New Hampshire Bar Association will bring lawyers and judges into classrooms around the state to teach students about the warning signs and consequences of dating violence and where they can find help.

Attorneys and judges who choose to participate in the program will receive pre-selected video clips designed to spark discussion and learning during presentations to students in grades 8-12. The clips show abusive behavior in dating relationships that often escalates to physical violence. Please contact LRE Coordinator Robin E. Knippers.

We the People

We the People

This nationally acclaimed civic education instructional program enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy while allowing students to discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The primary goal of "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary and secondary students. The design of the instructional program, including the innovative culminating activity, is what makes the program a success.

The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students "testify" before a panel of judges. At the high school level, schools participate in Regional and State Competitions, held in December and January each year, performing units before a panel of notable governmental and political leaders. The top performing high school team attends the National Competition in Washington, D.C. representing NH.

A Statewide Effort to Promote Informed Citizenship and Start a Dialogue about the Constitution

Kicking off on Constitution Day 2014, Civics In Action Goes Viral brings a volunteer lawyer into your classroom for an interactive presentation to introduce students to their role as citizens and increase their knowledge of the US Constitution. Sign up for a visit.

ATTORNEYS: Sign up to introduce students to their role as citizens and increase their knowledge of the US Constitution.

Can You Pass the Test? The Civics In Action program began in 2011 with interactive presentations to 58 Rotary Clubs in NH through 2012 and continued in 2013 with presentations to the 18 Kiwanis Clubs in the state. Audiences are asked the same questions asked of those seeking US citizenship.

Civics In Action Goes Viral is an adaptation of this program for students in middle and high school classrooms that begins rolling out this school year. Try a practice test.

Civics in Action

Civics in Action

The NH Bar Foundation and the NH Bar Association are collaborating on the continuation of an adult-focused civics education and awareness initiative, Civics in Action (CIA). CIA started last year with presentations to 58 Rotary Clubs around the state of the program, "Can You Pass the Test?" which asked audiences the same questions posed to those seeking US citizenship. The presentation provokes answers to the questions: Do most citizens know enough about US government to pass this test themselves? What does that say about our level of awareness as citizens in a democracy?

Can You Pass the Test?

The naturalization self-test is a study tool to help you test your knowledge of U.S. history and government. The actual civics test is NOT a multiple choice test. The civics test is an oral test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.
This practice test contains 25 questions.

Law Day

Law Day 2015 - A Lawyer & Judge in Every School

A Lawyer & Judge in Every School pairs attorneys and judges with classrooms throughout the state to discuss concepts of law, rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

For Law Day 2015, the NHBA LRE program encourages attorney presenters to bring When Love Hurts, a program that educates students about dating violence and helps them identify dating violence in their relationships, or a topic of your choice to classrooms across the state.

The ABA Division for Public Education has created materials for recognizing the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta on Law Day. Learn more on the ABA website.

We the People: Project Citizen promotes competent and responsible participation in state and local government. It actively engages students in learning how to monitor and influence public policy and encourages civic participation among students, their parents, and members of the community.

As a class project, students work together to identify and study a public policy issue, eventually developing an action plan for implementing their policy. The final product is a portfolio displaying each group's work.

In a culminating activity, the class presents its portfolio in a simulated legislative hearing, demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of how public policy is formulated. Teachers are encouraged to hold hearings in the classroom or community setting.

If you are interested in using this program in the classroom, please e-mail Law Related Education Coordinator, Robin E. Knippers for curriculum materials, or call her at 603-715-3259.

"Leapholes" by James Grippando tells the story of Ryan, a middle school boy who hates school and is in trouble with the law. The one person that can help him is a mysterious magical old attorney named Hezekiah. Together they do their legal research by zooming through "Leapholes"; physically entering the law books and coming face-to-face with actual people from famous cases- like Rosa Parks and Dred Scott- who will help Ryan defend himself in court.

In 2007 the NH Bar Association invited several middle schools from around the state to participate in the "Leapholes" pilot project. The NHBA provided the classes with books for each student, teacher and attorney volunteer. The students read the book and, with the help of an attorney volunteer, discussed the legal aspects of the book. Classrooms participating in a culminating activity were invited to meet James Grippando at a "Meet the Author" event held on May 21, 2008. Read the Bar News article about the event.

Information about using the Leapholes book in the classroom is available to schools who are interested: Robin E. Knippers, (603) 715-3259.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day

A statewide effort to promote informed citizenship and start a dialogue about the Constitution

Kicking off on Constitution Day 2014, Civics In Action Goes Viral brings a volunteer lawyer into your classroom for an interactive presentation to introduce students to their role as citizens and increase their knowledge of the US Constitution.

The Civics In Action program began in 2011 with interactive presentations to a combined 76 Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs in New Hampshire through 2012 and 2013. Posing the question, "Can You Pass the Test?" audiences were asked the same questions asked of those seeking US citizenship. Do most citizens know enough about US government to pass this test themselves? What does that say about our level of awareness as citizens in a democracy?

Civics In Action Goes Viral is an adaptation of this program for students in middle and high school classrooms that begins rolling out this school year.

The best way to learn more about New Hampshire's judicial system is to schedule a tour. With over 60 courts throughout the state, a field trip is within easy driving distance, and tours can be tailored to meet the needs of your grade level (K-12 all welcome!).

If you are a teacher interested in bringing students to any one of our courts -- circuit, superior or the Supreme Court, please contact the Judicial Branch Public Information Officer, Carole Alfano, (603) 271-2646 x2359.

Opportunities for Teachers

Law Related Education ("LRE") encompasses a variety of programs for students in grades K-12, designed to teach students about law, the legal system, and the fundamental principles and values upon which our constitutional democracy is based.

Opportunities for Attorneys

NHBA LRE Mission Statement

Law Related Education (LRE) encompasses a variety of programs for students in grades K-12, designed to teach students about law, the legal system and the fundamental principles upon which our constitutional democracy is based. Activities are intended to foster partnerships between schools and attorneys who volunteer their time for educational purposes.

The Law Related Act of 1978

According to the Law Related Act of 1978, LRE is "education to equip non-lawyers with the knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process, and the legal system, and fundamental principles and values on which these are based." The U.S. Department of Education regulations supporting the Act add that LRE helps students "respond effectively to the law and legal issues in our complex and changing society."

LRE Today

Today, LRE embraces a rich and varied array of programs for all grade levels. These programs share a common goal of fostering the knowledge, skills, and values students need to function effectively in a society defined by its democratic institutions, pluralism, and the rule of law. LRE strives to develop the active citizens a democratic society requires: those who can understand, live in, and contribute positively to the civic communities to which they belong.

Financial Support for the Law Related Education Program is provided by

Resources

iCivics

iCivics prepares young Americans to become knowledgeable, engaged 21st century citizens. Learn more.